(Posted on 10/08/2008)

Band teachers Martha Gasque, of Whittemore Park Middle School, and Robert Christy, of Conway High School, are both recipients of arts curriculum grants from the South Carolina Department of Education.

Gasque was awarded $18,762 to improve student achievement in the arts by teaching students to create visual artworks, sing and perform on instruments, read and notate music, and evaluate music and musical performances.  The grant will also allow four arts teachers to attend state-sponsored professional development activities and will provide for three artists-in-residence, one from each of the areas of visual arts, chorus, and orchestra, to teach students about their craft.

Christy was awarded $4,944 to enhance his teaching practices through technology. He will focus on teaching students how to read and sight-read music, and identify culturally and historically diverse music.  He will integrate music computer software into this teaching using a projection system.